Biomedical research

Biomedicine is a major branch of medical science. Biomedical research is normally based on laboratory experiments (as opposed, for example, to epidemiological data). It aims to improve both our understanding of, and our ability to prevent and cure, human disease. The experiments often involve use of laboratory animals.

Laboratory animal welfare is affected by the treatments imposed on the animals, and the way in which they are housed. Animals such as mice are a group-living species, housing them in groups is therefore an important consideration. This is often difficult to arrange in a small cage but even a small cage may be broken up into separate areas. This photo illustrates the use of small igloos in a mouse cage. Photo: Canadian Council on Animal Care